Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic - 12/13/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic

Date: Friday, December 13, 2019

Location: Amway Center in Orlando, FL

TV: Fox Sports Florida

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -3

Total/Over-Under: 218

James Harden and the Houston Rockets (16-8, 2nd in the Southwest Division) travel to Amway Center on Friday where they'll meet the Orlando Magic (11-13, 2nd in the Southeast Division). The spread on this game has Houston as 3 point favorites. The over/under opens at 218.

The Rockets cover the spread 45.8% of the time, having gone 11-13-0 ATS. Orlando is covering 43.5% of the time, going 10-13-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/11/2019 Tyson Chandler C Illness Game Time Decision
12/11/2019 Austin Rivers PG Illness Game Time Decision
12/11/2019 Eric Gordon SG Knee Game Time Decision
12/11/2019 Nene C Hip Game Time Decision
10/28/2019 Gerald Green SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Apr 15

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/11/2019 Nikola Vucevic C Ankle Game Time Decision
12/11/2019 Markelle Fultz PG Illness Game Time Decision
12/1/2019 Al-Farouq Aminu PF Knee Expected to be out until at least Feb 1

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 38.7 points per game while playing 37.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 88%. Russell Westbrook averages 22.5 points per game in 34.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.4 assists per contest and 8.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

Evan Fournier averages 19.9 points per game while playing 30.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.9 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Jonathan Isaac averages 12.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.3 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 120.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 48.0 rebounds per game and 21.9 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 15.8 per game. The Rockets allow 114.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.0 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 26.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 29th in the league with 102.3 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -0.4. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 45.4 boards per game, and 24th in assists per contest with 22.3. The Magic are 26th in turnovers per game with 13.9. The Magic surrender 102.7 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 23.3 assists allowed per contest and 10th with 45.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic are 9th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.4, and their defensive rating of 109.2 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 104.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 8th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 22nd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 16th in the NBA. The Magic are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 104.9, and their offensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 9th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 28th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Magic NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -3

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